BR112020003406A2 - method for treating insects to produce human nutrition and / or animal feed and line for processing insects - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention is about a method for treating insects to produce human nutrition and / or animal feed. Treatment involves reducing and, preferably, stopping the autolysis of insects, preferably using a cooling treatment step. The present invention additionally deals with a line for processing insects.

Description

METHOD FOR TREATING INSECTS TO PRODUCE HUMAN NUTRITION AND / OR ANIMAL FEEDING AND PROCESSING LINE INSECTS

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for treating insects to produce human nutrition and / or animal feed. The present invention additionally deals with a line for processing insects.

[0002] Due to the growing world population, the demand for protein is increasing and insects can serve as an alternative source of protein and / or a meat substitute for food for human consumption. Insects, as a source of nutrition for human consumption, comprise nutrients such as proteins, carbohydrates, fat, vitamins, minerals, and water. Examples of edible insects are bedbugs, mealworms, grasshoppers, bees, wasps, crickets, and red ants. Considering insects as a source of nutrition also applies to the case of animal feed. Preferably, insects are grown on an insect farm and, due to the possibility of vertical cultivation, less space is required to achieve the same weight of protein, resulting in less impact on the environment. Compared to beef, less than two thousand times water and 12 times less food are needed to grow the same amount of nutrition, and one hundred times less gas emissions are realized.

[0003] There is, therefore, a constant need to improve the treatment of insects to produce human nutrition and / or animal feed. In addition, there is a need to exploit the nutritional content of insects in an optimized way. An additional object of the present invention is to provide a product that is visually attractive and / or tastes good. Another objective of the present invention is to provide a line for processing insects, particularly without loss of nutritional content and / or without damage to the visual appearance and / or the taste of insects.

[0004] The problem is solved by a method for treating insects, in which the autolysis of insects is at least reduced, preferably stopped. Therefore, little or no autolysis or self-digestion occurs, which results in a change in its color and flavor.

[0005] The present invention relates to a method for treating edible insects to produce human nutrition and / or animal food. An edible insect according to the present invention preferably has a chitinous exoskeleton, preferably a three-part body (head, chest, and abdomen), preferably at least three pairs of articulated legs, compound eyes and, preferably, a pair of antennas. Examples of edible insects are bedbugs, mealworms, grasshoppers, bees, wasps, crickets and red ants.

[0006] Inventively, these insects are treated such that the autolysis of insects is at least reduced, preferably stopped. Therefore, the protein content of insects is not, or not significantly, reduced. The color of the insects remains, at least in essence, unchanged.

[0007] Preferably, the temperature of the insects is reduced to -10ºC or less within 0.5 seconds - 45 minutes, preferably 1 minute - 30 minutes, and more preferably 1.5 minutes - 10 minutes. This rapid cooling, if not instantaneous, will reduce, preferably stop, the activity of the enzymes that are responsible for the loss of nutrients, color (browning), and change in flavor. To stop / disable enzyme activity, insects must be exposed to rapid cooling. An additional advantage of freezing insects quickly is that only minimal dehydration will occur and ice crystals will become small, so any cellular damage will be minimized.

[0008] According to a preferred method of the inventive method, the insects are still alive before cooling.

[0009] During cooling, insects are preferably cooled to a central body temperature of -2 - - 40 ° C, more preferably -13 - -22 °, even more preferably -15 - -23 ° C.

[0010] According to a preferred modality, insects are subjected to a liquid and / or gas cooling medium.

[0011] The liquid medium is preferably liquid nitrogen or liquid carbon dioxide or liquid air or a mixture thereof. Preferably, the surface, particularly the entire surface, is wetted with the liquid cooling medium. This can, for example, be achieved by spraying the liquid cooling medium on the insects and / or submersing the insects in the liquid cooling medium. The liquid cooling medium evaporates on the surface of the insects and thereby reduces the temperature of the insects. The length of time it takes to cool the insects to a certain temperature and / or the final temperature of the insects can be influenced by the selection of the liquid cooling medium, the amount of liquid cooling medium provided per kilogram of insect mass, and / or the contact time between the cooling medium and the insects.

[0012] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the wetting of the insects' surface is renewed, preferably constantly. This can be achieved by moving the insects and the liquid cooling agent in relation to each other and / or by submerging the insects in the cooling agent and, preferably, stirring the mixture. In this case, the liquid cooling medium is preferably sprayed over the entire surface of each insect and the moistening of the insect's surface is renewed at least once.

[0013] The liquid cooling agent, which is not evaporated, can be collected, preferably filtered, cooled if necessary and then reused.

[0014] If a gaseous cooling medium is a gas, that gas preferably has a temperature between -195 and -20 ° C. Preferably, the gas is air. The gas and the insects are moved, preferably, in relation to each other. Preferably, the gas is moved in relation to the insects. Preferably, a turbulent flow of the gas around the insects is established. Preferably, the gas is used to move the insects in relation to the surface on which the insects are provided. This surface can be a mesh mat or a gas permeable grid. Insects can be transported during cooling, for example, in relation to a system of nozzles that eject cold gas. Preferably, the gas is collected after it comes into contact with the insects and recycled. If necessary, the collected gas is cooled before reuse and / or cleaned before reuse.

[0015] According to a preferred modality, the insects are, at least partially, separated from each other before and / or during cooling, so that the entire surface of the insects is cooled simultaneously and / or that there is no increase in temperature in insects due to enzymatic activities. Insects can, for example, be spread on a means of transport, for example, a conveyor, or submerged and agitated in a liquid, particularly a cooling liquid, such as liquid N2, liquid CO2, liquid air, or a mixture of them .

[0016] According to a preferred modality, a sensor is provided that determines the temperature of the insect, particularly its central body temperature, its surface temperature and / or a weighted temperature over the volume of the insect. Based on the signal from this sensor, the cooling process is controlled, particularly the contact time of the insects with the cooling medium, the temperature and / or the composition of the cooling medium and / or the conditions of heat transfer.

[0017] Preferably, insects are agitated during cooling, in which the mechanical impact on insects must be minimal to avoid autolysis.

[0018] According to a preferred method of the inventive method, insects are killed during cold treatment. Due to the cold treatment, the insects' body temperature is so low that they are killed, but as the insects are already relatively cold, autolysis does not start, or is significantly reduced, so that enzymatic browning is avoided, or reduced significantly.

[0019] The inventive method can be performed continuously or in batches.

[0020] The inventive method is preferably performed in a drum or mixer, where preferably a liquid cooling medium is used. The insects are provided to the drum / mixer and, simultaneously before and / or after, the cooling medium is added to the drum / mixer. As part of the cooling medium has evaporated during cooling, the resulting gas can be collected, cooled, and reused. Preferably, the pressure in the drum / mixer is adjustable. Preferably, the treatment of insects occurs under a higher and / or lower pressure in relation to the ambient pressure.

[0021] According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, insects are provided with means of transport, which transport them through a freezer. The freezer preferably comprises a gaseous environment, which is preferably circulated. The means of transport is preferably a conveyor, particularly a gas-permeable conveyor. The freezer can alternatively or additionally comprise a bathtub with cooling liquid in which the insects are submerged. In this case, the means of transport is, preferably, a grid made of a mesh or canvas that keeps insects on the grid during cooling.

[0022] Preferably, an ingredient is added to the frozen insects. Most preferably, the insects and the ingredients are mixed. Preferably, insects, particularly frozen insects, are ground before and / or after the addition of the ingredient. Grinding can take place in a grinder with a rotating knife and a perforated plate and a single or double worm screw that transports insects in the direction of the rotating knife.

[0023] The problem is also solved with an insect processing line, which comprises a cooling apparatus, an ingredient supply and a grinder.

[0024] Disclosure regarding the inventive method also applies to an inventive line. The subject / object of the method can be incorporated into the line modality and vice versa.

[0025] This embodiment of the present invention relates to a line comprising a cooling apparatus, an ingredient supply, and a treatment device such as a mixer, a drum, a cryogenic freezer (IQF), freezer, grinder, etc.

[0026] The cooling apparatus can be a mixer with a liquid cooling medium, such as liquid nitrogen. This mode proved that the insects will be frozen gently and quickly, within 0.5 seconds - 45 minutes, and that autolysis is contained. Additionally, it happened that the insects did not stick together, so lumps were not formed, which is relevant during mixing with ingredients and makes further processing easier. As soon as the cold treatment process is completely finished, the insects will be discharged from the mixer at a temperature depending on the species of insect, in the case of Alphitobius diaperinus (Buffalo Worms) larvae, the temperature will be in the range of at least -10 ° Ç. The liquid cooling medium is provided with the insects and / or before and / or after the insects are supplied, preferably pumped or thrown into the mixer. During cooling, the mixture of liquid cooling medium and insects is agitated, preferably slightly agitated, so that the insects are not damaged. In the mixer, or after the mixer, means that separate the frozen insects from the liquid cooling medium are preferably provided. The liquid cooling medium can be used again and / or recycled, preferably after a cooling and cleaning step in which small insect particles are separated from the liquid cooling medium. The separation preferably takes place under a pressure, which is above ambient pressure.

[0027] In a second preferred embodiment of the invention, insects are treated in a drum provided with a liquid cooling medium, for example, liquid nitrogen connection. The drum is, for example, a GEA ScanMidi. Essentially, reference can be made to the disclosure dealing with the mixer. Gentle treatment of insects with the rotating drum, in addition to the supply of liquid nitrogen to the insects, will result in freezing the insects quickly without enzymatic browning.

[0028] In a third preferred embodiment of the invention, insects are treated in a cryogenic freezer with a freezer chamber. The insects will be placed on a means of transport, for example, a conveyor. Insects come into direct contact with the liquid cooling medium, for example, liquid nitrogen, and / or the insects will be sprayed with a liquid cooling medium, for example, liquid nitrogen, through spray nozzles provided inside the chamber. freezer.

[0029] After the freezing step, residues from the liquid cooling medium are preferably evaporated, for example, by exposing the insects to an increased temperature and / or reduced pressure compared to the cooling chamber and / or during further processing , such as grinding.

[0030] In a fourth preferred embodiment of the invention, insects are not subjected to a liquid cooling medium, but to cold gas, preferably cold air, preferably at a temperature of -195 - -20 ° C. Insects are quickly frozen in a spiral cryogenic freezer (IQF - spiral freezer) or an IQF tunnel freezer such as a fluidized bed freezer. The insects will be placed in the transport medium, preferably a liquid or gas permeable carrier, such as a mesh carrier, where the mesh openings are small enough to support the insects. Below the means of transport, fans or the like will create a flow of cold fluid, preferably a stream of air directed at the insects deposited on the moving means of transport. The speed of the fluid flow will preferably be chosen such that the insects are lifted, preferably just above the surface of the means of transport and fall into the air, resulting in an improved heat transfer between the insects and the air. This process results in the rapid freezing of each insect without insects freezing together and creating lumps. In the case of an open conveyor, vibrating means of transport can be used.

[0031] For all the described modes, the liquid nitrogen cooling medium can be replaced with another cryogenic medium such as carbon dioxide. This invention is not limited to a mixer provided with liquid nitrogen, a drum provided with liquid nitrogen, a cryogenic freezer or a fluidized bed freezer, but to any apparatus and process capable of quickly freezing insects in combination with limited mechanical action on insects during the rapid freezing process.

[0032] According to a preferred modality, the cold treatment is followed by a mixing step in a mixer in which, for example, ingredients and / or water are added. The temperature of the insects must be such that no enzyme activation will occur even during this mixing step.

[0033] In an additional step, the insects will be ground. To prevent autolysis, the temperature of the insects must be so low that, even due to the entry of energy during the grinding, no activation of enzymes will occur.

[0034] The temperature must be so low that, during all the processing steps after the cold treatment in which the enzymes can be reactivated, the temperature will remain so low that no significant enzymatic activity occurs. Such additional processing steps can be mixing, grinding, molding and / or coating / tapping.

[0035] Between pre-treatment and further processing of insects, insects can be stored in a cold environment, preferably such that no enzyme activation will occur.

[0036] In an additional processing process, insects can be molded, coated, fried, cooked, but it is not limited to these applications. In the case of molding and / or coating, the temperature of the insect mass must be such that no enzyme activation will occur to prevent, for example, a change in flavor after the final processing step.

[0037] The inventions are now explained according to the Figures. These explanations do not limit the scope of protection and apply to all modalities of the present invention in the same way. Figures 1 - 3 each show a modality of the inventive method and the inventive line. Figure 4 shows the post-treatment step.

[0038] Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention.

The insects, dead and alive, are provided with a cooling step 1, which can be a continuous or batch apparatus.

In this apparatus 1, the central body temperature of the insects is rapidly reduced to -2 ° C, preferably less, more preferably less than -40 ° C.

Cooling can take place using a liquid or gaseous cooling medium.

A liquid cooling medium is, for example, liquid nitrogen and / or liquid carbon dioxide and / or liquid air or a mixture thereof.

A gaseous cooling medium is, for example, air.

After cooling step 1, there may be a separation step in which the frozen insects are separated from the liquid cooling agents.

The insects preferentially leave the cooling stage 1 with a temperature so low that, throughout the downstream processing, the temperature of the insects or the resulting product remains so low that none, or little, enzymatic activity occurs, at least while the enzymes are still activable.

Preferably, the cooling step will take place in a mixer, where the blades are rotating, more preferably in a gentle way, such that each insect is treated in the same way.

Subsequently, a milling step 2 is provided.

The grinding step can be carried out in a grinder comprising a rotating knife and a perforated plate, which preferably divides each insect into multiple parts.

If necessary, the grinder can be cooled.

In addition or alternatively, the temperature of the insects is so low after cooling that even the energy input due to grinding does not increase the temperature of the insects or insects ground above an undesired level, that is, a temperature level at which enzymatic degradation comes into play.

In the present example, ingredients such as spices, water, or the like are added to the grinder and mixed with the insects.

The insect product 5 ground and containing ingredients leaves the grinder. Each step of the process on the line is either continuous or batch.

[0039] Figure 2 shows another embodiment of the present invention. Reference can be made to the disclosure related to Figure 1. In the present case, a mixer 9 is provided between the cooling phase and the grinder, and the ingredients are added to the mixture 9. The skilled person understands that the temperature of the insects after the cooling is so low that also the energy provided to the insects in the mixer does not result in an unwanted temperature rise.

[0040] Figure 3 shows another embodiment of the present invention. At present, the ground mixture is mixed with ingredients, for example, spices and / or water or the like in a mixer 9, which is provided downstream of the grinder. Other than that, reference is made to the disclosure dealing with Figures 1 and 2.

[0041] Figure 4 discloses an additional processing step 7. Before further processing, the product ground and containing ingredients can be stored at a temperature such that no enzymatic activity occurs, preferably at a temperature below -18 ° C. The additional processing step can be mixing, coating, frying, cooking and / or packaging. Reference numbers: 1 Cooling, cooling step 2 Grinding 3 Ingredient supply 4 Untreated insects 5 Pre-treated insects 6 Storage 7 Post-treatment stage, further processing 8 Treated insects 9 Mixer

Claims (14)

1. Method for treating insects (4) to produce human nutrition and / or animal feed, characterized by the fact that the autolysis of insects is at least reduced, preferably stopped. 2. Method according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the temperature of the insects is reduced to -10 ° C or less within 0.5 seconds - 45 minutes. 3. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that insects are cooled to a temperature of -2 - -40 ° C. 4. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that insects are subjected to a liquid and / or gaseous cooling medium. 5. Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that insects are agitated during cooling. 6. Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that insects are killed during cold treatment. 7. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that it is carried out as a continuous or discontinuous process. 8. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that it is carried out in a drum or a mixer. 9. Method according to claim 8, characterized in that the insects are moistened at least partially with a liquid cooling agent. 10. Method, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that insects are subjected to a cold gas, preferably cold air. 11. Method according to claim 10, characterized by the fact that the insects are provided with means of transport, which transport them through a freezer. 12. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that an ingredient is added to the frozen insects and that the insects and the ingredient are mixed. 13. Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the insects are ground before and / or after the addition of the ingredient. 14. Insect processing line (4), characterized by the fact that it comprises a cooling apparatus (1), an ingredient supply (3), and a grinder (2).